College & Career Corner
By Rose Rennekamp

Everyone knows the "3Rs" of education - reading, writing and arithmetic - but few are aware that a fourth R has been added to the mix: retrieval skills.

Also known as Locating Information, retrieval skills are what people use when they locate, analyze, and use information from charts, graphs, tables, forms, diagrams, maps, and other material in the workplace. Being able to locate information is a basic requirement for today's workforce. In fact, businesses say the ability to locate information is one of the most important skills they look for as they hire new employees.

Parents, you might be wondering what this information has to do with your teen's education and future. The answer is everything. The 4Rs of education isn't just an expression - it's a roadmap to academic and workforce success.

Each of the 4Rs plays an important role in your student's future. Here's why:

ACT's "Ready for College and Ready for Work: Same or Different?" study found that high school students who enter workforce training programs after they graduate need academic skills similar to those needed by students entering college. The levels of math and reading skills needed for success in the first year of college are comparable to those needed by high school graduates who plan to enter a vocational training program.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 80 percent of the fastestgrowing jobs in the United States require some training after high school and many of these jobs require a strong basis in math and science.

In a survey of 402 companies, executives identified writing as the most valued skill required in their businesses given that their employees spend an average of 30 percent of their day writing.

While the need for knowledge in the 4Rs is clear, there's also proof that many prospective employees aren't prepared for the challenges today's businesses face. An American Management Association survey of midsized and larger businesses found that 38 percent of job applicants taking employer-administered tests lacked the reading and math skills needed in the jobs for which they applied.

Another recent survey found that 22 percent of hourly employees weren't able to read and translate drawings, diagrams, and flow charts. So, how do you ensure that your student will leave school prepared for the future? Reinforce the importance and practicality of the 4Rs. Encourage your student to take tough courses that will challenge their thinking and expand their abilities. Make reading and writing a part of everyday life. Challenge your student to learn more about the skills required in professions he has an interest in, then discuss ways he can begin building on those skills today.

Your teen can learn about various jobs and skills requirements at www.workkeys.org. Notice the higher-level reading, math and science skills needed for high-paying, high-demand careers.

Businesses and employers need rising requirements for reading, writing, and math skills in today's workplaces. Likewise, they also need workers who have the ability to locate and analyze information from various sources. Business leaders agree that job candidates who achieve highly in these skills are in the best position to be hired and later promoted.

Ask your teen "'R' you ready?"

Rose Rennekamp is the vice president of communications for ACT. She is a mom and has a master's of education in guidance and counseling. For more college and career-planning information, visit . Have a question you want answered in a future column? Send a letter to this newspaper or e-mail Rose at AskRose@act.org.